AFRICAN PENGUINS
African penguins are now listed as critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. They will be extinct in the wild in a decade unless the South African government finally steps in to make changes, follows scientific advice that already exists and ensures fishing closures (which don’t need a radius of much more than about 30 kilometres) around some of the ever-dwindling colonies. But as individuals, there are actions we can take to help.
COUNTDOWN TO EXTINCTION IN THE WILD, UNLESS WE TAKE ACTION
South African scientists worked with the IUCN in 2024 to review the birds’ status and they moved from being endangered to critically endangered. This may help spur efforts to save them. But since the news first broke about the change in African penguins’ status, the government has done nothing.
In the meantime, ever more penguins are dying. In just 14 years, this species (Spheniscus demersus) has gone from being 'vulnerable' to 'critically endangered.' Numbers dropped 16% from 2022 at 10,400 breeding pairs to about 8,750 breeding pairs in 2023. They’ll likely be functionally extinct in the wild by 2035.
While politicians fail to act, here's what you can do:
Your voice holds weight - please be part of bringing the African penguin back from the edge. What would help the penguins is securing the permanent closure of fishing access around six islands with African penguin colonies, it would be an important step in protecting this iconic species. Banning the refuelling of ships out at sea (called bunkering) in Algoa Bay and anywhere near colonies would help – the noise has a direct impact on population numbers and the potential for oil spills is high. South Africa also needs better and more standard management of Marine Protected Areas – where penguins can breed in peace.
Government agencies need to prioritise penguin conservation within their respective mandates and ensure that all role players work together to implement the current Biodiversity Management Plan. Government also needs to urgently stop the South African National Defence Force and the SA Navy from using live ammunition and explosives in False Bay near the penguins or in any other areas where colonies exist.
Through tourism, many South Africans rely on the African penguin for their income and the boost for the economy amounts to billions. Saving the African penguin is a no-brainer for everyone, but their future depends on taking urgent action now. Together, we can exert pressure and act before it's too late.
In the meantime, ever more penguins are dying. In just 14 years, this species (Spheniscus demersus) has gone from being 'vulnerable' to 'critically endangered.' Numbers dropped 16% from 2022 at 10,400 breeding pairs to about 8,750 breeding pairs in 2023. They’ll likely be functionally extinct in the wild by 2035.
While politicians fail to act, here's what you can do:
- Email South Africa’s Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment: https://bit.ly/465liSE
- Sign the petition to Save the African Penguin: https://bit.ly/4eZLfYs
- Share this video or the link to this page to spread awareness for these iconic seabirds: https://www.theoceanadvocate.com/act-987903.html
- Support SANCCOB, BirdLife South Africa, the Dyer Island Conservation Trust and the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation’s #NotOnOurWatch campaign
- Make changes in your day-to-day life: http://bit.ly/4hFbJAj
- Be encouraged by Dr Sylvia Earle and Mission Blue: https://bit.ly/4fefNpa
Your voice holds weight - please be part of bringing the African penguin back from the edge. What would help the penguins is securing the permanent closure of fishing access around six islands with African penguin colonies, it would be an important step in protecting this iconic species. Banning the refuelling of ships out at sea (called bunkering) in Algoa Bay and anywhere near colonies would help – the noise has a direct impact on population numbers and the potential for oil spills is high. South Africa also needs better and more standard management of Marine Protected Areas – where penguins can breed in peace.
Government agencies need to prioritise penguin conservation within their respective mandates and ensure that all role players work together to implement the current Biodiversity Management Plan. Government also needs to urgently stop the South African National Defence Force and the SA Navy from using live ammunition and explosives in False Bay near the penguins or in any other areas where colonies exist.
Through tourism, many South Africans rely on the African penguin for their income and the boost for the economy amounts to billions. Saving the African penguin is a no-brainer for everyone, but their future depends on taking urgent action now. Together, we can exert pressure and act before it's too late.
"I dream of our vast deserts, of our forests, of all our great wildernesses. We must never forget that it is our duty to protect this environment."
The late South African President Nelson Mandela
The late South African President Nelson Mandela